New 236 area code rolled out in B.C.

British Columbia’s fourth area code, 236, is being rolled out on Saturday, just six years after the 778 area code was introduced, in order to meet the rising demand for new numbers.

Officials say our love of smartphones and other wireless technology has meant a sharp increase in the demand for new telephone numbers.

While residential users don’t need to make any changes to their equipment, businesses that restrict long distance calls will need to reprogram their equipment to accept the 236 area code as local, the group said.

Until 1996, 604 was the only area code in British Columbia. At that time, 250 was introduced to serve the area outside the Greater Vancouver area.

In 2001, area code 778 and 10-digit dialing were introduced in the Greater Vancouver area, before being extended across the province in 2008.

Officials have already set aside another area code 672 for future expansion in B.C.